Annex A > Chapter 7 - Supra Regional Services > The national framework > The administration of supra regional services: Supra Regional Services Advisory Group (SRSAG)
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The administration of supra regional services: Supra Regional Services Advisory Group (SRSAG)
21 As part of the SRS, an Advisory Group was established with Terms of Reference which included the duty:
`To advise the Secretary of State, through Chairmen of Regional Health Authorities, on the identification of services to be funded supra regionally and on the appropriate level of provision.' [10]
22 This advice was to cover which services should be funded, supra regionally, in the forthcoming year; which units should be designated to provide them; and what level of funds should be allocated to each designated unit. Authorities would then be notified of the Secretary of State's decision, reached in the light of the SRSAG's recommendations. [11]
23 The Inquiry heard evidence from Sir Graham Hart, Permanent Secretary at the Department of Health from March 1992 to November 1997, on the position of the SRSAG in the Departmental structure.
`It was not technically part of anybody's command. It was an advisory group, chaired by a regional chairman who actually stood outside the Departmental structure. It was outside people serviced by officials from within.' [12]
He went on to say: `I do not think it reported to any official in the Department; it reported unequivocally to ministers.' [13]
25 Sir Graham explained how there was interaction between the SRSAG and the NHS Management Executive (NHSME) and the wider Department. [14] He also described the process:
`The Supra Regional Services Advisory Group would meet. They would consider papers. They would take decisions. Those decisions would, as it were, take the form of recommendations to ministers.
`Officials in the Department on the policy side would then brief ministers, inform ministers, about those decisions ... When there was something that needed to be decided or to be done of importance, then either Dr Halliday or one of his administrative colleagues, they would presumably agree between them who would handle it, would put a submission up the line which would go to ministers.' [15]
26 Later in his evidence, Sir Graham again dealt with the process:
`... it [the SRSAG's recommendation] would come with a submission from officials, saying "Here is a report from the Supra Regional Services Advisory Group", I would expect, "This is what we think about it and here are the issues that you need to consider, you need to be aware", you know, on the pro side, on the con side. "Will you please tell us your decision".' [16]
27 The SRSAG was supported by a Secretariat provided by a Departmental doctor and an official. The Medical Secretary, Dr Halliday, was in post throughout the period 1983 to 1992. [17] He was a Senior Principal Medical Officer and reported to Dr Michael Abrams, Deputy Chief Medical Officer.
28 The Administrative Secretary held the grade of Principal. During the relevant period, Anthony Hurst 1983-1987, Alan Angilley 1987-1992 and Steven Owen 1992-1996 held the post.
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Footnotes
[10] DOH 0002 0022; circular HN(83)36
[11] DOH 0002 0022; circular HN(83)36
[16] T52 p.17-18 Sir Graham Hart
[17] WIT 0049 0001; Dr Halliday continued as Secretary to SRSAG after he retired in 1992, until 1994